CHAPTER 3

                                    

                                          
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize we had stopped. I was also surprised to see so many vans following us. There was only one before, but I just ignored it.
 
As I got out of the car, I just stopped and gaped at the sight in front of me. This house was bigger than Mateo's house, but was it even a house anymore, or a palace? It was so massive. Mateo walked up to me and took my hand.
 
"What's wrong?" tanong niya, looking at me with concern.
 
I looked at him and shook my head.
 
"Nothing, I just can't believe how big your house is," I said, turning back to the building.  I couldn't call it a house anymore, it was more like a palace.
He chuckled and pulled me inside their house. I heard some of his men in black suits whispering.
 
"Did you hear that? The Boss laughed," one of them said softly. This guy wasn't known for his sense of humor, was he?
 
"The Boss must be possessed. Should we prepare for a blessings?" another one said, trying to stifle his laughter when he noticed me looking at him.
 
"Don't, you'll burn," another one warned, but we just ignored them.
 
Nagsisimula na ulit akong kabahan habang papalapit sa pintuan.
As the door opened, we were greeted by a line of maids, all bowing their heads. Out of curiosity, I bowed too. I heard Mateo chuckle beside me.
 
Confused, I turned to him.
 
"Hey, you don't have to do that," he said, still chuckling.
 
"O-okay," I stammered, feeling embarrassed.
 
"Where's Mom?" He asked, his voice turning serious. I felt his arm wrap around my waist.
 
"She's in the kitchen, Sir. Kanina ka pa hinihintay," an older woman said. I assumed she was the head maid, as she was the only one not wearing a maid's uniform.
Mateo didn't respond, instead, he took my hand and pulled me towards the kitchen.
 
"Mom," Mateo said, walking up to his mother and kissing her cheek.
 
She was beautiful and gentle, but I still felt the urge to retreat, overwhelmed by nerves.
 
"Son, how are you- Who's this? Is this Zylene?!" his mother exclaimed, turning to me, her face lighting up. I don't know why, but I felt my nervousness intensify.
Why would she ask who I am? 
 
"Mom, stop, you're scaring her," Mateo said, his voice serious and cold. He walked towards me.
She glanced at Mateo, tinaasan nang kilay. 
"I'm sorry, dear. I'm just so excited to see you again. I'm Majika Montevallo. Mateo's Mother. How are you? I know you met me before, but you were unconscious for years and had amnesia, right? I miss our bond," she said, smiling broadly. She walked towards me and hugged me. I hugged her back and glanced at Mateo. He smiled at me, so I smiled back.
 
"Ah, I'm fine po, Tita," I said, bowing my head shyly as I pulled away from the hug.
 
"Call me Mommy, if you're comfortable with it. We've been apart for years. I barely visited you in the hospital," she said, pulling me onto a chair.
 
"Okay, po, M-Mommy," I mumbled, almost inaudibly. I flinched when she suddenly shouted and hugged me again.
"Ah, dear. You're cute," she squealed, pinching my cheek.
 
"Hi, Tita," Francisco greeted, taking a seat. Mrs. Montevallo smiled at him.
 
"Where's Dad? I didn't see him," Mateo said, drawing our attention to him.
 
"Ah, business trip," Mommy Majika said simply, still holding my hand.
 
"Let's go shopping later and have a little chitchat," Mommy Majika suggested. I looked at Mateo, seeking permission, but he shook his head, so I shook my head too.
 
"Mommy, I need to rest, po. I just got out of the hospital," I said. Mommy Majika looked disappointed, making me feel a pang of guilt.
"Yeah, mom. She still needs to rest," Mateo added, confirming my statement. This made me think even more, because the sadness in his mother's face was evident. Mateo's mom pouted and slumped in her seat.
 
Mrs. Montevallo didn’t pay attention to her son.
 
"Of course, I know she needs to rest, but I missed her. Stop opposing her decision," she said, looking at Mateo with pleading eyes. But I noticed she rolled her eyes.
 
"Ah, M-Mommy. It's fine, we can go shopping later," I said. My mom's face brightened at my suggestion and she clapped her hands. It was cute.
 
"Really? Okay- No, mom. She needs to rest," Mateo said, cutting her off. I glared at him.
Mateo raised his hands in defense, "What's with your look? I'm just being honest here, you need to rest," he said, seeming nervous.
 
"It's fine, I've been resting at home for weeks now, so let me go shopping with Mommy," I said, turning to Mom, who smiled at me and then glanced at Mateo.
 
"Yeah, we're just going shopping and eating after, then no more," Mom said childishly, pouting. So I joined in and put on my best puppy dog eyes.
 
"Please, let us go," I pleaded, my voice full of despair. He rolled his eyes and finally gave in.
 
"Fine, just don't go home late," he conceded, kissing my forehead.
 
"Wow, what a miracle scene," Francisco said, earning a glare from Mateo.
 
He took a seat across from us.
"Shut up," Mateo said irritably, but Francisco just laughed and started to serve himself some food.
 
"Yeah, we're just going shopping, eating, and nothing more, nothing less. For now, kumain muna tayo," Mom said. I nodded. Francisco remained quiet, eating while scrolling on his phone.
 
We ate and talked, Mom asking me random questions. Sometimes, Mateo would get annoyed, but I couldn't answer some of her questions due to my condition.
Huminga ako nang malamim. 
 
"M-Mom, why didn't you visit me when I was in the hospital?" I asked during our meal.
 
The three of them, including Mateo, stopped eating and stared at each other.
"T-that? I don't have time to pay visit because of business, but there's time na nag visit ako but you're still unconscious that time," she said hesitantly. I heard Mateo cough and Francisco stop scrolling on his phone.
 
I guess business is more important than me?
 
"Yeah, it's because of business, but Mom tried to visit you many times," he said, resuming his meal. I nodded slowly, still unconvinced. I took a bite of my food before speaking again.
 
"What about my parents? Did they visit me even once?" I asked. Mom coughed, and Mateo stopped eating, immediately handing his mother a glass of water.
 
"Your parents are d-dead. They found out you had an accident, your dad due to a heart attack, and your Mom because of depression. She didn't make it," she said gently. I lowered my head.
 
It was my fault they were gone. Dahil sa akin, nawala magulang ko. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself.
"Hey, Ija. Are you okay?" Mom walked closer to me and hugged me. I started to cry.
 
"It's my fault they're gone, isn't it?" I asked, my voice choked with sobs. Mom tightened her hug and Mateo approached us.
 
"O-of course not, it's not your fault. It was an accident," Mateo insisted, but I shook my head, unable to accept what happened.
 
"It's my fault. If it wasn't for me, they'd still be alive," I said, my voice trembling. Mom stroked my cheek.
 
"Hey, it's not your f-fault what happened. No one should be blamed," she said, her voice unsure.
"Can we visit their graves po? I want to visit their grave po sana" I asked, turning to Mateo who was standing beside me.
 
"Of course, as you wish. We'll go if we have time," he said seriously, giving me a small smile.
 
"Now stop crying, dear. Always remember it's not your fault. It's no one's fault," Mom said, pulling me into another hug. I felt a little better.
 
"Rest for now, dear. We’re leaving later, it’s still hot. Go with Mateo, you need to rest," she said. I nodded and stood up.
 
"Well, rest first, Mom," Mateo said to his mother, kissing her cheek. I went up to Mom and kissed her cheek too. She kissed me back and whispered something that made me smile slightly.
"Everything will be alright, love you," she said. I nodded and stepped back.
I smiled at her. 
 
"We're leaving now," I said. She just nodded.
 
"Let's go," Mateo said. I nodded and followed him silently. The whole evening, I was quiet. Mateo noticed, but he didn't say anything.
 
That's why no one from my family visited me. They died because of me.